BMW: The Classic Cars of the 1960s and '70s (Crowood Autoclassic) [Hardcover]

Laurence Meredith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crowood Autoclassic | Publication Date: January 31, 2000

The intriguing story of this popular German marque's rise from almost certain bankruptcy in the late 1950s to its present, much vaunted, position. Topics include: background and history of BMW road and race cars from the 1930s to the 1970s; 4- and 6-cylinder cars; full specifications; and the full racing history of such classic cars as the 1500, 2800cs, 2002 and 2002 Turbo. An inspiring story.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laurence Meredith has written some 38 books, 36 of them about cars and motor racing. He lives in rural Herefordshire, England. Motorsport has been a lifelong obsession that continues to this day. He has a particular interest in German cars, and is a leading authority on Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Meredith has spent his entire life - from the age of two - at motor racing circuits throughout the world, and cites his hobby and job as one and the same thing. He owns several German cars, including a Porsche, classic VW Beetle and a Formula SuperVee Modus M2. He has competed in modern classic rallies, citing his class win in the Longleat Stages of 1990 as the most rewarding.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Crowood; First edition (January 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861262507
• ISBN-13: 978-1861262509
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,068,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting history about "forgotten" BMW's, September 15, 2005

By 

Daantjie Badenhorst "Daantjie Badenhorst" (Pretoria, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BMW: The Classic Cars of the 1960s and '70s (Crowood Autoclassic) (Hardcover)

Any young BMW enthusiast will be forgiven for thinking that BMW have always manufactured the 3-series, the 5-series and the 7-series.

Here, howewer, is the history of the models that preceded the above-mentioned model ranges. The book starts with the 1500, which was designed by Giovanni Michelotti and was introduced in 1961. This is the model that is generally seen as the one that set BMW onto the road to its current success. Next comes the '02 range, which included the 2002, and even the rare 2002 Turbo gets a mention.

A lot of attention is rightly given to the six-cylinder models that preceded the 7-series, which included probably the best-looking volume-produced BMW ever, the 2800/3,0 CS range. The CSL version became a legend, especially in European motorsport, and this model is extensively covered.

The only criticism to be levelled at this book is that the text and the pictures are not always cohesive. Some pictures are not on the same page as the text that discusses the relevant models. A more minor point of criticism is that a few pictures of models that are outside the scope of this book, are included. All three current model ranges have been written about in detail, and the pictures belong in those volumes.

Notwithstanding these comments, this book reminds you of a time when BMW still built real cars, not automotive computers, and therefoe it is worthwhile for anybody who has even a remote interest in BMW's.